My gardening beds are covered in bark mulch. They seem to have accumulated lots of moss over the winter, and I’m always bewildered when I see other beds without the amount of moss I have. My gardening beds are not in the shade. I assume that moss is due to too much acidity in the soil. Am I fertilizing too much in summer? Should I add lime before topping off with more mulch?
Mike, unless you really hate the sight of the moss, I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's not stealing nutrients or water from your plants - it's just taking advantage of your bark mulch as a support and food source. The spores may even have been present in the mulch before you purchased it....
I would add more sand, as moss detests this medium in our climate...if this is your purpose.... However, the acid level in your garden beds, must be acknowledged. Hydrangeas, Rhodos and Ferns thrive in these soil conditions here. What is your goal? If you want to grow plants that require less acidity, you will need to change the PH of the soil and add extra drainage material and provide as much shade free conditions as possible. Note, moss will thrive in full sun here too!
I like moss, personally. I like looking at green living stuff, as opposed to dead and decaying mulch. And as Lorax notes, it doesn't hurt anything. I think it might actually slow evaporation of soil moisture.
